U.S. patent number 6,031,569 [Application Number 08/759,980] was granted by the patent office on 2000-02-29 for image sensing method and apparatus utilizing the same.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Canon Kabushiki Kaisha. Invention is credited to Susumu Kozuki, Kousuke Nobuoka.
United States Patent |
6,031,569 |
Nobuoka , et al. |
February 29, 2000 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Image sensing method and apparatus utilizing the same
Abstract
In order to display a high resolution still image by using a
single image sensor type image sensing apparatus employing a single
relatively low resolution CCD, an image of an identical object is
taken four times in short time intervals. Each time the image
sensing operation is carried on, it is controlled that an imaging
position on a photo-sensing surface of the CCD is shifted by one
pixel. Color signals of the plurality of color components which are
obtained as above are stored in a predetermined areas in an image
memory by each color component. After four image sensing operations
are completed, the color signals are read from the image memory,
and the final color signals or brightness signals are generated
based on the read color signals, and displayed on a display.
Inventors: |
Nobuoka; Kousuke (Yokohama,
JP), Kozuki; Susumu (Tokyo, JP) |
Assignee: |
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Tokyo,
JP)
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Family
ID: |
27286600 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/759,980 |
Filed: |
December 3, 1996 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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395756 |
Feb 27, 1995 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Feb 28, 1994 [JP] |
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6-029499 |
Feb 28, 1994 [JP] |
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6-029504 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/220.1;
348/219.1; 348/E9.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N
9/04561 (20180801); H04N 9/0451 (20180801); H04N
2209/046 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04N
9/04 (20060101); H04N 005/225 () |
Field of
Search: |
;348/266,267,270,271,272,279,281,220,219 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Lee; Michael H.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Morgan & Finnegan LLP
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No.
08/395,756, filed on Feb. 27, 1995.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An image sensing apparatus comprising:
image pickup means for generating an image signal;
displacing means for displacing a relative position of an optical
image and an image sensing surface of said image pickup means;
mode selecting means for selecting a still mode for synthesizing a
high-resolution still image signal from a plurality of displaced
image signals or a movie mode for continuously forming a plurality
of consecutive low-resolution image signals;
first control means for generating a synthesized still image signal
from a plurality of image signals, each being displaced from one
another by said displacing means when the still mode is selected;
and
second control means for generating a plurality of movie image
signals, each not being displaced from one another by said
displacing means when the movie mode is selected; and
movie display means for displaying the plurality of movie image
signals.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image pickup
means includes color separation filters on the image sensing
surface of said image pickup means.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the color separation
filters include filters for four different colors.
4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the color separation
filters include filters for complementary colors.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said displacing
means includes a moving optical member for cyclically displacing
the relative position of the optical image and the image sensing
surface of said image pickup means.
6. An image sensing apparatus comprising:
an image pickup device for generating an image signal;
a displacing mechanism for displacing a relative position of an
optical image and an image sensing surface of said image pickup
device;
a mode selecting circuit for selecting a still mode for
synthesizing a high-resolution still image signal from a plurality
of displaced image signals or a movie mode for continuously forming
a plurality of consecutive low-resolution image signals;
a first control circuit for generating a synthesized still image
signal from a plurality of image signals, each being displaced from
one another by said displacing mechanism when the still mode is
selected; and
a second control circuit for generating a plurality of movie image
signals, each not being displaced from one another by said
displacing mechanism when the movie mode is selected; and
a movie display unit for displaying the plurality of movie image
signals.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said image pickup
device includes color separation filters on the image sensing
surface of said image pickup device.
8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the color separation
filters include filters for four different colors.
9. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the color separation
filters include filters for complementary colors.
10. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said displacing
mechanism includes a moving optical member for cyclically
displacing the relative position of the optical image and the image
sensing surface of said image pickup device.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
This invention relates to an image sensing method and apparatus
and, more particularly, to an image sensing method and apparatus
capable of achieving better resolution by using CCD, or the like,
as two dimensional solid image sensing elements and by displacing a
focal point of an object in two directions in a space area.
As a most well-known method of reproducing a color image by using a
single piece of image sensing element, there is a method in which
an image sensing element output signal, made by superposing a color
carrier signal having half of a pixel sampling frequency on a
brightness signal component. The signal is picked up by providing
complementary color filters arranged in mosaic fashion on photo
sensors of the image sensing element. The color information is
obtained by Y/C separation of the image sensing element output
signal. This method is widely applied to video cameras for personal
use, and is very effective in providing inexpensive cameras.
Further, regarding an image sensing apparatus such as video camera
using CCD, or the like, improvement of spatial resolution has been
demanded. Especially, as a method to realize the improvement of the
spatial resolution without simply increasing pixel density of CCD,
there have been proposed some methods to improve apparent
resolution. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No.
64-69160 discloses a method of displacing a CCD in the horizontal
and vertical directions by using a piezoelectric element, and
Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. 63-284979 discloses a
method of using optical path displacement mechanism provided
between an image sensing lens group and a CCD.
However, in the aforesaid conventional examples, the frequency of a
color carrier signal representing color information is only half of
pixel sampling frequency, thus, it is theoretically impossible to
reproduce high resolution color information. Therefore, although a
single image sensor type image sensing apparatus is compact and
inexpensive, it is not sufficient to use the obtained image when
better image quality than those taken by a conventional personal
use video camera is required.
Furthermore, in the aforesaid conventional image sensing apparatus,
to simply improve resolution of the CCD itself is emphasized, and
there lacks consideration regarding color signal processing. As a
result, resolution of a black and white signal can be improved
because of the improvement of resolution of the CCD, however, the
improvement of resolution of the CCD does not directly contributes
to improve resolution of a color image taken by a single image
sensor type color video camera, which has been widely spread for
personal use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an
image sensing apparatus especially capable of performing high
resolution color image sensing of a still image with a simple
construction without losing the merits of compactness and
inexpensive single image sensor type image sensing apparatus.
According to the present invention, the foregoing object is
attained by providing an image sensing apparatus comprising: a
focusing lens for forming an image; a color separation filter
composed of a plurality of color filter elements for n kinds of
colors; an image sensing element having the color separation filter
on the imaging surface; displacement means for displacing relative
positions of the image and the imaging surface of the image sensing
element; storage means for storing color signals outputted from the
image sensing element; image sensing control means for controlling
the displacement means so as to shift an imaging position relative
to the imaging surface each time an image is taken; write control
means for writing the color signals outputted from image sensing
elements in the storage means each time after an image is taken;
and signal generating means for generating a signal by comparing
the color signals.
More specifically, when an image sensing apparatus takes an image
of an identical object, four times, and color separation filter
array arranged on a photoelectric converter of the CCD element is
of a complementary color mosaic type for four colors (Ye, Cy, Mg,
G) arranged as shown in FIG. 2, at each time the apparatus takes
the image, each pixel is moved spatially by one pixel, and by
reproducing a complementary color signal taken in the four times of
image sensing operations on image memory areas each of which
corresponds to each complementary color signal (Ye, Cy, Mg, G) as
shown in FIG. 4, spatial resolution of the four complementary
colors is improved. Further, by applying matrix operation to the
complementary color signal generated as described above to convert
into a RGB signal, or a brightness and a color difference signals,
a color image of high resolution can be obtained.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an image
sensing method, adopted in a single CCD type image sensing
apparatus, capable of performing high resolution color image
sensing by using a simple configuration.
According to the present invention, the foregoing object is
attained by providing an image sensing method adopted to an image
sensing apparatus having a focusing lens, color separation filter
composed of two-dimensionally arranged unit arrays, each of which
includes m pixels for n kinds of colors, so as to occupy a
predetermined area, and an image sensing element having the color
separation filter on the imaging surface, and capable of obtaining
high precision still image comprising: image sensing step of taking
an image of an identical object a plurality of times by slightly
shifting an imaging position on the imaging surface by changing
relative positions of the focusing lens and the imaging surface of
the image sensing element each time the image is of the identical
object is taken; storing step of storing color signals of the
color-separated signals of a plurality of color components
outputted from the image sensing element in the image-taking at the
image sensing step in a storage medium; color signal generating
step of generating a color signal by reading the color-separated
signals of the plurality of color components stored in the storage
medium by the storing step; and output step of outputting an image
on the basis of the color signal generated at the color signal
generating step.
In accordance with the present invention as described above, an
image of an identical object is taken for a plurality of times, a
focal point of the object is controlled to displace on a focal
plane of an image sensing element each image sensing operation,
color signals of plural color components relating the object image
taken in accordance with the control are written in a storage
medium, a color signal is generated by reading the color signals of
the plural color components written in the storage medium after
performing a plurality of image sensing operations, and an image is
outputted based on the generated color signal.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a
single image sensor type image sensing apparatus having a plurality
of operational modes capable of taking and displaying a high
resolution still image or taking and displaying a moving image.
According to the present invention, the foregoing object is
attained by providing an image sensing apparatus operable in a
plurality of operation modes comprising: a focusing lens; a color
separation filter composed of two-dimensionally arranged unit
arrays, each of which includes m pixels for n kinds of colors, so
as to occupy a predetermined area; an image sensing element having
the color separation filter on the imaging surface; selecting means
for selecting one of the plurality of operational modes; moving
image generating and display means for generating and displaying a
moving image on the basis of color-separated signals of a plurality
of color components outputted from the image sensing element in
accordance with the selected operational mode; and still image
generating and display means for generating and displaying one
frame of still image on the basis of color-separated signals of the
plurality of color components outputted from the image sensing
element obtained by taking an image of an identical object a
plurality of times in accordance with selected operational
mode.
In accordance with the present invention as described above, a high
resolution still image signal and a low resolution moving image
signal is displayed in accordance with the selected operation
mode.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an
image sensing apparatus capable of obtaining a high resolution
image.
According to the present invention, the foregoing object is
attained by providing an image sensing apparatus comprising: image
sensing means for converting an optical image into an electrical
signal; a color separation filter having n kinds of color filters
situated in front of the image sensing means; control means for
controlling an imaging position n times so that an image of an
identical object incidents on the corresponding portion of an
imaging surface of the image sensing means through the n kinds of
color filters; and combining means for combining n frames of image
signals obtained by the image sensing means by being controlled n
times by the control means.
In accordance with the present invention as described above, a
focusing position is controlled so that an image of an identical
object incidents on an identical portion of an image sensing means
for n times, and image signals of a plurality (n) of images are
combined.
The invention is particularly advantageous since a still color
image of higher resolution beyond the conventional theoretical
limitation on color information reproduction based on a single
image sensing operation can be displayed by using an inexpensive
CCD in a simple configuration and taking an image of an identical
object plural times, where the limitation is due to the frequency,
half of the pixel sampling frequency, of the color carrier signal
representing color information obtained from the conventional
single image sensor type image sensing element using a
complementary color mosaic filter.
Further, according to the aforesaid object, regarding a single
image sensor type color video camera using an inexpensive CCD, a
high resolution still color image and an ordinary color moving
image can be displayed with a simple configuration.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be
apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters
designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures
thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, incorporated in and constitute a part of
the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,
together with the description, serve to explain the principles of
the invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image
sensing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 shows a pattern of a complementary color mosaic filter
provided on a photo-sensing surface of CCD 3;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing image sensing operations for one
frame and display processing;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship among the number of
times of image sensing operations, color components, and imaging
positions; and
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image
sensing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
Preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in
detail in accordance with the accompanying drawings.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a single
CCD type image sensing apparatus according to the first embodiment
of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a
lens group, and reference numeral 2 denotes a light path shifter
for shifting light path of the light received through the lens
group 1. A configuration of the light path shifter 2 is that the
top corner of a variable angle prism (VAP) which is an optical
element is slightly changed so as to shift the light path of
incoming light, or an image sensing element (CCD) is displaced in a
plane perpendicular to an optical axis by using a piezoelectric
element, or the like, thereby substantially changing the point
where light reaches on the CCD, for instance. Reference numeral 3
denotes a CCD of which complementary color mosaic filter shown in
FIG. 2 is attached at the photo-sensing surface; 4, an A/D
converter; and 5, an image memory. The image memory 5 is divided
into four partitions in order to store each signal, outputted from
the A/D converter, of four color components, and respective
partitions are called a Ye memory 5-1, a Cy memory 5-2, a M memory
5-3, and a G memory 5-4. Further, reference numeral 6 denotes a
camera signal processor (DSP); 7, a three channel D/A converter; 8,
a high precision color display; 9, a digital interface; 10, a
controller; 11, a CCD driver; 12-1 to 12-4, control lines for
address writing; 13-1 to 13-4, control lines for address
reading.
Note that each of the four partitions of the image memory 5 has
memory area enough to store one frame of image signals after four
image sensing operations.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a pattern of the complementary
color mosaic filter attached on the photo-sensing surface of the
CCD 3. A CCD usually contains several hundred thousands of pixels
of photo-sensing surface, and on the photo-sensing surface, a
filter whose unit pattern is a 4.times.4 pixel matrix as shown in
FIG. 2 is provided. In FIG. 2, G indicates a green filter, Mg
indicates a magenta filter, Ye indicates a yellow filter, and Cy
indicates a cyan filter, and corresponding pixels of the CCD
receive light of the color of the filter on the each pixels.
Next, an operation of taking and displaying a high resolution still
image by using an image sensing apparatus according to the first
embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart in FIG.
3 showing image taking and displaying for a single flame and with a
diagram in FIG. 4 showing relationship among number of times of
image sensing operations, color components, and imaging
positions.
The image sensing apparatus takes an image of an object in four
image sensing periods (first image sensing period, second image
sensing period, third image sensing period, and fourth image
sensing period), although each period is short, and displays a
single still picture in accordance with the image signals obtained
in the four image sensing periods.
First, a parameter k, indicating the number of the image sensing
operation, is initialized to "1" at step S10. Then, at step S20, an
image of an object is inputted.
More specifically, the image, transmitted through the lens group 1
and the light path shifter 2, is subject to the processed at step
S30 (the process at step S30 will be described later in detail),
and after that, focused on the CCD 3 and converted into an
electrical signal, thereby an analog electrical signal is
generated. This signal is converted into a digital signal (called
"digital CCD signal", hereinafter) by the A/D converter 4. Each
digital CCD signal is inputted into one of the partitions 5-1 to
5-4 of the image memory 5 in accordance with the color component at
step 40. The detailed process at step S40 will be described
later.
Next, process at step S30 and S40 will be described in detail.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the difference in a imaging position in
a 4.times.4 matrix, a unit pattern of the complementary color
mosaic filter shown in FIG. 2, of the CCD's photo-sensing surface
depending on the image sensing period and color component. Sixteen
4.times.4 matrices in FIG. 4 having different image sensing periods
and color components each other are the same pixel matrix on the
CCD's photo-sensing surface.
In the first embodiment, the controller 10 controls the light path
shifter 2 so that images of four color components transmitted
through the lens group 1 are focused on different places each other
at each image sensing period in accordance with the pattern of the
complementary color mosaic filter as shown in FIG. 2 in a 2.times.2
pixel matrix unit on the photo-sensing surface of the CCD 3, and
after four image sensing operations have performed, images of each
color component have been focused on all the four pixels of the
matrix. The 2.times.2 pixel matrix occupies a quarter area of the
4.times.4 pixel matrix (upper left, upper right, lower left, and
lower right), and four 2.times.2 pixel matrices in the 4.times.4
pixel matrix have the same pattern.
In other words, assuming that each component of a 2 .times.2 pixel
matrix is described by using x and y coordinates (taking the left
upper corner as an origin, and horizontal direction as x axis, and
vertical direction as y axis), displacement of Ye component in the
upper left 2.times.2 pixel matrix of the 4.times.4 pixel matrix
shown in FIG. 4 at the respective first to fourth image sensing
periods is considered. At the first image sensing period, the Ye
component is at the position which is described as (x, y)=(0, 0),
at the second image sensing period, it is at the position which be
described as (x, y)=(1, 0) (displaced in the horizontal direction
by one pixel comparing to the position at the first image sensing
period), at the third image sensing period, it is at the position
which can be described as (x, y)=(1, 1), (displaced in the vertical
direction by one line comparing to the position at the second image
sensing period), and at the fourth image sensing period, it is at
the position which can be described as (x, y)=(0, 1) (displaced in
the horizontal direction but opposite to the direction of the
displacement from the first to second image sensing periods, by one
pixel comparing to the position at the third image sensing
period).
Likewise, regarding the Cy, Mg, and G components, displacements of
respective components are controlled so that no two components
takes the same position in the 2 .times.2 pixel matrix at the same
image sensing period, and so that the imaging position of each
component covers all four pixels in the 2.times.2 pixel matrix
after four image sensing periods as shown in FIG. 4.
As described above, all the color components are focused on all the
pixels in the 2.times.2 pixel matrix after the four image sensing
periods.
Next, regarding process at step S40, the controller 10 insures that
signals of the Ye component of the digital CCD signal obtained in
mosaic are written in the partition 5-1 of the image memory 5,
signals of the Cy component of the digital CCD signal are written
in the partition 5-2 of the image memory 5, signals of the Mg
component are written in the partition 5-3, and signals of the G
component are written in the partition 5-4 through control lines
for address writing. Furthermore, when the first to fourth image
sensing periods are over, the controller 10 outputs an address
writing control signal so that data of each complementary color
component of one frame can be obtained.
Next, at step S50, the value of the parameter k is incremented by
one. Then, at step S60, whether or not the value is over 4 is
checked. Here, if k.ltoreq.4, then the process goes back to step
S20 to repeat image sensing operation, whereas if k>4, then the
process moves to step S70.
When each complementary color data for one frame has been written
in the image memory 5, at step S70, the controller 10 outputs an
address reading control signal in order to read the complementary
color data for one frame at the position of the complementary color
image through the control lines for address reading 13-1 to 13-4
and to transmit the data to the DSP 6.
At step S80, the DSP 6 receives the complementary color data for
the one frame of complementary color signal image at the position
of the complementary color image, generates a RGB signal by
performing matrix operation, or the like, then outputs the RGB
signal to the three channel D/A converter 7 and the digital
interface 9. At step S90, the RGB image signals which are converted
into analog signals by the three channel D/A converters 7 are
displayed on a high precision display 8, thereby high resolution
color still image can be seen. Further, the digital RGB image
signal is outputted to an external digital information device via
the digital interface 9.
Therefore, according to the first embodiment, by taking an image of
an identical object four times, where each image sensing operation
is performed so that no two components is focused on the identical
pixel position of the CCD, and the identical color component is
focused at the different position on the CCD at each of four image
sensing operations, and the image signals obtained by the aforesaid
control after four image sensing are stored in a memory which is
divided so that each partition corresponds to each complementary
color component, and an image is displayed after reading the stored
image signals, thus the color resolution of an image becomes high,
and it is possible to output an image of high quality from which
moire stripes are reduced.
In the first embodiment, when an object which slightly displace as
time elapses (or does not displace) is taken to display as a still
image, an image of as high resolution as the image taken by a
literally high resolution CCD can be obtained by taking the same
object a plurality of times by using an inexpensive and relatively
low resolution CCD without using an expensive and high resolution
CCD, thus contributing to reduce manufacturing cost of the
apparatus.
Needless to say, it is possible to apply this embodiment to an
image sensing apparatus using an expensive and high resolution CCD,
and in that case, further higher resolution clear still image can
be displayed, although the quality of the image depends on the
image display quality of the apparatus.
It should be noted that, in the first embodiment, one frame of a
still image is generated by taking an image of an object four
times, however, the present invention is not limited to this, and
can be generated, for example, after two image sensing periods to
display the still image of a single frame.
[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, operational modes of the image sensing
apparatus are not explained. In a second embodiment, an image
apparatus having a plural operational modes will be described.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image
sensing apparatus having two operational modes according to the
second embodiment. In the following explanation, the same
consisting elements, devices, or the like, as in the first
embodiment are referred by the same reference numerals, and their
explanation is omitted, and only characteristic elements and their
operations will be described. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 14
denotes a data synchronizer for applying a sample and hold to a
dot-sequentially inputted image signal inputted, delaying it, and
outputting complementary color signals in parallel; 15, a camera
signal processor; 16, a three channel D/A converter; 17, a color
display; 18, a switch for switching between two operational
modes.
Next, an operation of the image sensing apparatus having aforesaid
configuration will be described.
The operational modes of the image sensing apparatus according to
the second embodiment is a normal moving picture mode, and a high
resolution still picture mode.
First, in the normal moving mode, the controller 10 controls the
light path shifter 2 so that an image inputted through the lens
group 1 is focused on a fixed position on the photo-sensing surface
of the CCD 3. The controller 10 does not send an address writing
signal via the control lines for address writing 12-1 to 12-4, nor
an address reading signal via the control lines for address reading
13-1 to 13-4. Therefore, the digital CCD signal is not transmitted
to the DSP 6.
Meanwhile, the digital CCD signal which is converted from analog
signal, photoelectric-converted by the CCD 3, by the A/D converter
4 is transmitted to the data synchronizer 14. The data synchronizer
14 obtains complementary color signal (Ye, Cy, Mg, G) from color
carrier components of the input digital CCD signal by the spatial
interpolation, and the complementary color signal is transmitted to
the DSP 15 where a digital RGB signal is generated. The digital RGB
signal is converted into an analog RGB signal by the three channel
A/D converter 16, and displayed as a color moving image on the
color display 17.
Next, in a high resolution still image mode, as described in the
first embodiment, the controller 10 inputs complementary color
signals to respective partitions 5-1 to 5-4 of the image memory 5
by taking an image of an identical object for four times, and the
complementary color signals are processed and a RGB digital signal
is obtained. The RGB digital signal is converted into a RGB analog
signal by the three channel D/A converter 7, and displayed as a
high precision color still image on the high precision color
display 8. Note that a color printer can be used instead of the
color display 8.
According to the configuration of the image sensing apparatus as
shown in FIG. 5, the complementary color signal is also inputted
into the data synchronizer 14 as the aforesaid operation is carried
on, thus the digital CCD signal is also processed as in the normal
moving image mode by the DSP 15 and the three channel D/A converter
16, a relatively low resolution color still image is also displayed
on the color display 17.
Therefore, according to the second embodiment, it is possible not
only to display a moving image in relatively a low resolution but
also to display a still image in high resolution in accordance with
the set operational mode.
It should be noted that, if the processing performance of an
apparatus is high and the sensitivity of a CCD is also considerably
high, by repeating the operation in the high resolution still image
mode for a predetermined number of times in a predetermined time
period (e. g., 60 times/second), a high resolution moving image can
be displayed.
Further, in the second embodiment, the obtained color image is
displayed on a display, however, the present invention is not
limited to this. For example, output from the DSP 15 can be stored
in a VTR apparatus as a standard video signal of a
brightness/chromatic signal and a composite signal, or the
apparatus is configured so that RGB output from the DSP 15 can be
transmitted to a digital information device, such as a
computer.
In the first and the second embodiments, a case where a frame
transfer type CCD is used is explained, however, the present
invention is not limited to this. For example, by changing the
amount of the displacement in pixel in the vertical direction as
shown in FIG. 4 to by two lines, a field transfer type CCD can be
used.
The present invention can be applied to a system constituted by a
plurality of devices, or to an apparatus comprising a single
device.
As many apparently widely different embodiments of the present
invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope
thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
to the specific embodiments thereof except as defined in the
appended claims.
* * * * *